Fearing breakdown of law and order, SDM suspends Mayem temple festivities

Team Herald

BICHOLIM: Bicholim Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Jyoti Kumari (IAS) on Friday suspended the Kalash festivities in Maya Kelbai Devasthan in Mayem and directed the opposing parties to maintain status quo to avoid breach of peace.

The Kalash festivities were to start on Friday, but the opposing parties did not reach a consensus on celebrating the festivities. The authorities were apprehensive that there could be law and order problem while taking the kalash out of the temple. 

Earlier, Bicholim Mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit, who is also the Administrator of the Devalaya, after hearing the oral submissions of the opposing parties, the Parab Gaokars and Naik Gaokars, passed an order stating that on Gad family has the right to lead the kalash procession of the temple should, but if the Gad family does not lead the procession, the same then should be performed by the Parab community — the mahajans of the devasthan.

In his order, the mamlatdar had also observed that the Parab community has the right to render assistance to the Gad family in taking the kalash idol from the temple.

The mamlatdar had also directed the Bicholim police inspector to identify the miscreants who could disturb the peace and initiate proceedings under Section 107 of CrPC before the Sub Divisional Magistrate.

The Naik Gaokars had challenged the order of the mamlatdar before the High Court of Bombay at Goa. However, the High Court upheld the order of mamlatdar by dismissing the petition filed by Naik Gaokars. 

On Friday, the deputy collector, after hearing the oral submissions of the opposing parties and perusing the letter of Deputy Superintendent of Police, suspended the kalash festivities and  directed both the opposing parties to maintain status quo.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police informed the deputy collector, through a letter, that police personnel are busy due to Zilla Panchayat election.

A strong police force was deployed near the temple and Bicholim PI Sanjay Dalvi and Valpoi PI Vaigankar were present to maintain law and order.